By Ruby Thomas, Record Staff Writer
Once resettled in the United States refugee youth are free to pursue happiness, and sometimes it’s the simplest kind that can make a difference.
Through a new partnership between Catholic Charities and the Louisville City Football Club — a professional soccer club — refugee youth are finding joy in a familiar past time.
Professional soccer players are providing clinics for refugee children enrolled in Catholic Charities’ youth summer program at the agency’s St. Anthony Campus on West Market Street.
The club is also donating 100 tickets to Catholic Charities staff, refugee families and mentors so they can attend two games this summer.
Young adults around the area are invited to join in, too, by attending a game on Aug. 24 with Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit Catholic Charities’ Office of Migration and Refugee Services.
Shaali Singogo, who works with the young people, said many of the kids have experienced “unimaginable” circumstances, so something like the soccer clinic is a welcomed change.
“They’re in a new country and soccer is one thing that’s familiar to them,” said Singogo, the youth services coordinator for the Office of Migration and
Refugee Services.
The summer program aims to help young newcomers learn English and prepare for school.
“It’s a lot to process and it can be stressful,” said Singogo. Playing soccer, he said, is good for them. “They get to connect with their peers. They get to laugh. It’s good for their health.”
This new partnership between the Louisville City Football Club and Catholic Charities is a good thing for all, said Ellen Hauber, development director for Catholic Charities.
“We’re excited to be able to start this and see where it goes,” Hauber said in a recent interview. Catholic Charities was lucky to have the Louisville City Football club reach out to propose this partnership, noted Hauber.
“Soccer is a universal sport and it brings people together no matter what language they speak,” said Hauber. “It provides happiness and camaraderie.” When people are on the soccer field their nationality is not that important, it’s more about coming together, said Hauber, adding that’s something the world needs.
Mario Sanchez — director of youth development and community relations for the the Louisville City Football Club — said the club wants to partner with organizations that unite people.
“Soccer is a sport that unites and it’s the goal of Louisville City Football Club to bring communities together through the sport,” said Sanchez, who is also one of the team’s coaches. “We wanted to partner with an organization with the same goal. It’s a natural fit for both organizations to work together.”
Sanchez led the first clinic June 17 for close to three dozen kids. Though most of the kids didn’t speak or understand English, the language barrier didn’t matter once they started kicking a soccer ball back and forth. Big smiles, hugs and high-fives seemed to say it all.
“They can feel lost here, but if you throw a soccer ball in front of them they feel like they’re at home again,” said Sanchez. “I’d like to believe that it (the soccer clinics) will make them feel a part of this community,” said Sanchez.
The soccer game Archbishop Kurtz will attend will start at 3 p.m. Aug. 24. Young adults between the ages of 20-45 are invited to attend and sit with the archbishop.
The cost of those tickets is $20 and will include a $5 “Bat Bucks” for use at the concession stands. Tickets must be purchased by Aug. 9. Catholic Charities will receive $5 from each ticket sold.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit, https://cclou.org/loufcgame/.
